Anfrax666 Posted February 27, 2017 Posted February 27, 2017 Hiya I've bee using my Warwick Corvette $$ for a few months now and noticed that in some light there is a large blemisg near the neck and neck pickup. It is only visible when light reflects and isnt noticeable straight on, but it looks like someone previously has used a clear gloss lacquer perhaps? Or the existing finish has been polished to a gloss level. [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMAG3532_zpshcbxhc04.jpg.html"][/url] From the website, the colour is 'Colored Transparent Satin (Burgundy Red)'. The chip in the below photo looks like the wood is stained itself, and then there is a clear satin coat overlayed. (Rather than a wax or tinted varnish being used). [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMAG3533_zpseb0e4xgn.jpg.html"][/url] So I was wondering if I stripped the body would the simple case of a fine grit 2000 grain sandpaper restore be enough to skim down to a flat finish again? Or would i need to then apply a satin clear coat over the top again? Or is the best bet to sand of the satin clear coat back to the natural stained wood and recoat entirely? Or even use a tinted lacquer like a wine red (as i cant seem to find the exact product used by Warwick) [url="http://www.tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/wine-red-nitrocellulose-tinted-lacquer-aerosol.html"]http://www.tonetechl...er-aerosol.html[/url] And if not wine red, what other recommended products are there? Thanks in advance for your help. Piers Quote
Trueno Posted February 27, 2017 Posted February 27, 2017 I used to have a black $$ and noticed that areas of wear would look "polished"... most notably where I rested my thumb above the front pickup. But the polished area you show is a bit weird... I'm guessing the previous owner may have rested his hand there and used a pick. If it is just polish/wear I wouldn't worry about it... it's just roadworn and mojo'd. Other people may have better answers, but if not you may want to try the Warwick forum. Quote
Manton Customs Posted February 27, 2017 Posted February 27, 2017 You're best bet is a very light touch and the 2000 paper on a rubber eraser as a block. Sand in one direction to create a uniform scratch pattern. 0000 steel wool will also dull it nicely, but great care would need to be taken that the pickups didn't attract all the steel wool dust. To be honest, I'd leave it alone. It's one of the drawbacks of a Satin finish...they will gloss up in areas which have a lot of traffic. So it will only return, either there or on other parts. If you aren't careful or experienced doing things like this you could make things a lot worse by burning through. If you did burn through you'd go down to bare wood before realising you've gone through the clear coat. Quote
Grangur Posted February 27, 2017 Posted February 27, 2017 I've got a blue Corvette. It's more tatty than the red Warwick in the OP. Mine even has Chinese writing on the back of the body. I look on it as genuine "roadwear". All I've done is smooth over the catches in any dings with some fine glasspaper, to make it comfortable and enjoy playing a great bass. If the chip near the bridge bothers you, then get a red felt too pen and colour it in. I wouldn't do anything else if it were mine. Quote
Anfrax666 Posted February 28, 2017 Author Posted February 28, 2017 Thank you all for the feedback so far. I have contemplated leaving it as roadworn, but i'm about to replace the hardware too so figured as i'm taking parts off, now might be a good time to overhaul it. Quote
Anfrax666 Posted May 22, 2017 Author Posted May 22, 2017 Finally bit the bullet and got around the stripping my bass and sanding down the body. Luckily the blemishes were only in the lacquer which were removed after sanding down with a 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper. I used Dartford's satin clear lacquer which created the desired finish. I also upgraded the hardware to gold as an homage to an FNA Jazzman i once saw. [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMG_20170522_224235_zpss5pupfah.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMG_20170522_224253_zpsqbumjjfo.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMG_20170522_224303_zpsn87v7qk3.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMG_20170522_224314_zps1gnamfbd.jpg.html"][/url] I'm still contemplating whether the nut upgrade is worth it though. Also, any sources for gold neck screws and pickup switches would be greatly appreciated! And advice on the control knob fitments, currently they are not sitting flush, is it a simple ase of useing a narrower nut to secure the pot? Quote
dyerseve Posted May 23, 2017 Posted May 23, 2017 [quote name='Anfrax666' timestamp='1495495879' post='3304274'] Finally bit the bullet and got around the stripping my bass and sanding down the body. Luckily the blemishes were only in the lacquer which were removed after sanding down with a 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper. I used Dartford's satin clear lacquer which created the desired finish. I also upgraded the hardware to gold as an homage to an FNA Jazzman i once saw. [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMG_20170522_224235_zpss5pupfah.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMG_20170522_224253_zpsqbumjjfo.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMG_20170522_224303_zpsn87v7qk3.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Anfrax666/media/IMG_20170522_224314_zps1gnamfbd.jpg.html"][/url] I'm still contemplating whether the nut upgrade is worth it though. Also, any sources for gold neck screws and pickup switches would be greatly appreciated! And advice on the control knob fitments, currently they are not sitting flush, is it a simple ase of useing a narrower nut to secure the pot? [/quote] Drop me a PM, I can almost certainly help with the gold screws - they are from Warwick btw! I might also be able to loan you a brass just-a-nut as well for you to try. Quote
Anfrax666 Posted May 24, 2017 Author Posted May 24, 2017 Thank you all for the kind words! Dyerseve you have a PM Quote
Trueno Posted May 24, 2017 Posted May 24, 2017 Great job! I also debated whether to upgrade the nut on my Thumb BO to a brass nut and decided it wasn't worth it. If you try it and have a positive outcome I might revisit that one. Quote
Grangur Posted May 24, 2017 Posted May 24, 2017 Nice result. I might even do the same with mine. It's funny how Fenders seem to get loved for having mojo. Warwicks are expected to look in pristine condition. Why is that? I quite like the wear on mine. It shows it's been used. Quote
Al Krow Posted May 24, 2017 Posted May 24, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Anfrax666' timestamp='1495495879' post='3304274'] Finally bit the bullet and got around the stripping my bass and sanding down the body. Luckily the blemishes were only in the lacquer which were removed after sanding down with a 1500 and 2000 grit sandpaper. I used Dartford's satin clear lacquer which created the desired finish. I also upgraded the hardware to gold as an homage to an FNA Jazzman i once saw. [/quote] Hey - great job! Looks soooo much better without the gloss lacquer and with the gold hardware! Edited May 24, 2017 by Al Krow Quote
darkandrew Posted May 25, 2017 Posted May 25, 2017 I did a JAN 1 to JAN 3 replacement on my SS1. The brass JAN 3s are very nice. Quote
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